Lawns and Tennis Grounds from Seed 



seeds are introduced by stable or farmyard manure, others by birds, 

 and several kinds are wafted long distances by the winds. For 

 practical purposes, and so far as lawns are concerned, it is unsafe to 

 recognise the distinction between annual, biennial, and perennial 

 varieties. The annual weeds will of course die out if they are not 

 allowed to seed ; but unfortunately some of them lie so close to the 

 ground that the mower does not prevent seeding. 



On a newly sown lawn every weed does mischief by smothering 

 a number of grasses, and the whole plot should be frequently 

 examined for the purpose of removing weeds while they are quite 

 small. With a little care they can be drawn without uprooting the 

 surrounding plants of young grass. 



Coarse grasses are indigenous on many soils, and perhaps the 

 most common of these is Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire Fog). The 

 presence of this worthless variety can at once be detected by its 

 broad, pale green leaves. While young it can be easily removed, 

 but when once it has secured a firm hold the only remedy is cutting 

 out. If left, every patch will increase in size from year to year by 

 seed ripened on the recumbent seed-stems, which are untouched by 

 the mower. 1 



It is surprising in how brief a time the turf of an established lawn 

 will, if neglected, be marred by plants of dandelion, plantain, thistle, 

 and other weeds. To keep the grass free there must be a systematic 

 examination for the express purpose of destroying weeds. Many 

 methods are employed. A common procedure is to cut out each plant 

 either by spud or knife about an inch below the surface. A pinch 

 of salt, or sulphate of ammonia, dropped on the cut root effectually 

 prevents growth. The lad who does this work should understand 

 what he is about, for a plantain merely cut off below the collar will 

 produce half a dozen crowns, in the same manner as Sea Kale, and 

 prove a greater nuisance than the original plant ; and by the careless 



' On high ground in Berkshire a field of several acres was for a long term 

 of years constantly cultivated as allotment gardens. The land was bought by a 

 speculative builder, and no seed -whatever was sown. Two years after cultivation 

 had ceased, the entire area was covered with Holcus lanatus. 



Another instance shows how easily a good lawn may be injured by the intro- 

 duction of strange soil. A small but beautiful lawn was established from seed 

 on ground from part of which gravel had been excavated. Two years later a 

 depression appeared on this portion of the lawn, and the surface was made level 

 with sandy loam obtained from a neighbouring field. In a short time Helens 

 laitqtus appeared on this part of the lawn only, and attempts to destroy it by top- 

 dressings failed. Cutting out and replacing with fine turf was eventually adopted. 



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